Juventus' Champions League clash with Barcelona should have been a chance for Cristiano Ronaldo to face Lionel Messi once again. That reunion between the two eternal rivals has been scuppered because the Portuguese has tested positive for coronavirus for the third time. Ronaldo has made no secret of his disappointment at missing the game, branding his latest test "bulls***". The Bianconeri forward has still been training while in isolation and he's looking in very good health as always.In one of his latest clips, he can be seen hitting the treadmill and he ended it by sending his Juventus teammates a good luck message. The 35-year-old pulled out his trademark celebration before shouting "in boca al lupo" - an Italian expression meaning good luck - and "Forza Juve!"
The Real Madrid legend might not be part of the squad, but he really, really wants to beat Barcelona.
Ronald Koeman, on the other hand, will be delighted that his leaky defence, who shipped three in Saturday's Clasico against Los Blancos, don't have to face their former nemesis.
Ronaldo has put no fewer than 18 goals past the Catalonians throughout his career.
Before he was ruled out, he had also made a decent start to the new campaign, scoring three goals in two Serie A games so far.
It would have been a fascinating prospect to see him coming up against Messi too, though the Argentine hasn't been at his best this season.
The duo are both in the twilight years of their phenomenal careers and the likelihood is there won't be many more occasions when fate brings them together.
No wonder Ronaldo is so eager for his Juve teammates to get one over on his old rivals tonight.